The Most Unexpected Trend of the 2024 Met Gala? The Human Body

Last night, the 2024 Met Gala red carpet was filled with avant-garde takes on florals (As it turns out, flowers for spring can be groundbreaking.) It was an obviously popular trend of the night, given the whole theme of the evening revolved around sleeping beauties and a dress code coined “The Garden of Time.” But one of the more unexpected trends of the star-studded event? Looks that were both bodycon and body-revealing. Many A-listers opted for head-turning ensembles that made their own human body a focal point.

The sculptural, chiseled silhouettes that took over the red carpet weren’t totally out of place. Many of the designs took inspiration from the garden statues found in J.G. Ballard’s short story The Garden of Time—such as Kylie Jenner, who donned an Oscar de la Renta double-faced satin gown featuring a cone-style bra, cinched waist, and large trumpet skirt. Some opted for finishes that exaggerated their natural shapes. Kim Kardashian, for one, slipped into an extra-tight corset via Margiela; Tyla also wore a form-fitting, sand-covered Balmain gown that illustrated her figure.

Other celebrities went glitzy and transparent—another way to reveal the form underneath. Stars like Emily Ratajkowski (in vintage Versace) and Jennifer Lopez (in Schiaparelli) chose bejeweled gowns that were sheer. In Diesel, Kylie Minogue’s slinky dress was embroidered with crystals that were arranged into a shapely form. A body worn overtop a body? Everyone gets an A+ for creativity.

Below, more 2024 Met Gala red carpet looks that revealed the human form.